1. To What End?
As a future teacher my overall goal for my students is to attempt to instill a love for learning that they will carry throughout their lives. While this seems like a broad and often unattainable goal I have a plan that I will initiate through the use of interesting and thought provoking lessons. To begin building this monument of knowledge within the student's minds I will focus on the areas of learning that scientists use to get the students personally involved in not only their science classroom but their community as well. To do so I will be sure to address topics that are relevant and important. Our world today is filled with so many opportunities to learn, for example we could cover earthquakes (Geology, Earth Science), rain forest destruction (Ecology, Conservation Biology, Plant Science), the effects of drugs on the body (Anatomy, Health, and even Neuroscience!). These worldwide issues can be broken down piece by piece and related to everything that we cover in a normal science class period. This will not only get the students to understand the material but it will get them to listen to the world around them and learn on their own. I will engage the students by teaching them how to read like scientists, they will analyze data, make inferences, and use the material to make sound and intelligent arguments about real world problems.
2. By What Means?
I will use technology such as interactive programs, web videos, etc. and even print material such as scientific journals, books, etc. to get the material in as many ways as possible. This will allow the students to see real world data and understand that the world is FILLED with science! The addition of several different sources and avenues of information fits into the multiple intelligence theory coined by Howard Gardener. I find that it is important to allow the students to showcase their strengths and not be hindered by their weaknesses.The students will also be encouraged to bring me material they find on their own on the internet, in other classes, in the news, etc. Not only will there be several different sources of information available to the students but they will also be introduced to a variety of hands on labs; A big part of the upcoming Common Core State Standards. The new focus in science classrooms is to get the students engaged through the use of hands on learning. I will use relevant labs that imitate real world occurrences to introduce complex processes in a controlled and safe environment.
3. To What Degree?
To evaluate if the students are learning within my classroom I will frequently give out exit quizzes worth a small percentage of their grade. This will recap what I have gone over in class and the students will try because of the percentage of their grade. However most of my assessments will be of their ability to gather information, and argue scientific ideas using the resources they found. To do this I will have many formal lab reports and in class discussions to see which students have a grasp of what I am trying to teach. This will also prepare them for college because science classrooms in higher education are filled with research papers, labs, discussions, etc. and I personally feel that the preparation for college in high school was lacking. I will also focus on reflection in my classroom, through the use of a scientific journal that the students will have and use to answer the "question of the day" at the end of the year the students will be able to look back at these thought provoking journal entries and see how their knowledge of these subjects has grown, giving them a sense of personal growth.
4.Why?
To be honest the biggest problem with younger generations is simply their apathy for anything not directly related to them. I shudder to think of a world filled with careless people that take advantage of the rare gift we have in our world and destroy it in the process. I want these students to WANT to learn. I want them to regain their curiosity and use it to learn more about the world around them and not just themselves. If I can open just the handful of students I will be allowed to teach to the world and the wonders that fill it I will have succeeded in being a teacher.
As a future teacher my overall goal for my students is to attempt to instill a love for learning that they will carry throughout their lives. While this seems like a broad and often unattainable goal I have a plan that I will initiate through the use of interesting and thought provoking lessons. To begin building this monument of knowledge within the student's minds I will focus on the areas of learning that scientists use to get the students personally involved in not only their science classroom but their community as well. To do so I will be sure to address topics that are relevant and important. Our world today is filled with so many opportunities to learn, for example we could cover earthquakes (Geology, Earth Science), rain forest destruction (Ecology, Conservation Biology, Plant Science), the effects of drugs on the body (Anatomy, Health, and even Neuroscience!). These worldwide issues can be broken down piece by piece and related to everything that we cover in a normal science class period. This will not only get the students to understand the material but it will get them to listen to the world around them and learn on their own. I will engage the students by teaching them how to read like scientists, they will analyze data, make inferences, and use the material to make sound and intelligent arguments about real world problems.
2. By What Means?
I will use technology such as interactive programs, web videos, etc. and even print material such as scientific journals, books, etc. to get the material in as many ways as possible. This will allow the students to see real world data and understand that the world is FILLED with science! The addition of several different sources and avenues of information fits into the multiple intelligence theory coined by Howard Gardener. I find that it is important to allow the students to showcase their strengths and not be hindered by their weaknesses.The students will also be encouraged to bring me material they find on their own on the internet, in other classes, in the news, etc. Not only will there be several different sources of information available to the students but they will also be introduced to a variety of hands on labs; A big part of the upcoming Common Core State Standards. The new focus in science classrooms is to get the students engaged through the use of hands on learning. I will use relevant labs that imitate real world occurrences to introduce complex processes in a controlled and safe environment.
3. To What Degree?
To evaluate if the students are learning within my classroom I will frequently give out exit quizzes worth a small percentage of their grade. This will recap what I have gone over in class and the students will try because of the percentage of their grade. However most of my assessments will be of their ability to gather information, and argue scientific ideas using the resources they found. To do this I will have many formal lab reports and in class discussions to see which students have a grasp of what I am trying to teach. This will also prepare them for college because science classrooms in higher education are filled with research papers, labs, discussions, etc. and I personally feel that the preparation for college in high school was lacking. I will also focus on reflection in my classroom, through the use of a scientific journal that the students will have and use to answer the "question of the day" at the end of the year the students will be able to look back at these thought provoking journal entries and see how their knowledge of these subjects has grown, giving them a sense of personal growth.
4.Why?
To be honest the biggest problem with younger generations is simply their apathy for anything not directly related to them. I shudder to think of a world filled with careless people that take advantage of the rare gift we have in our world and destroy it in the process. I want these students to WANT to learn. I want them to regain their curiosity and use it to learn more about the world around them and not just themselves. If I can open just the handful of students I will be allowed to teach to the world and the wonders that fill it I will have succeeded in being a teacher.